How long should alcohol-based hand rub be rubbed on hands for maximum efficacy?

For maximum efficacy, alcohol-based hand rub should be rubbed on hands for at least 20 seconds. This duration allows sufficient time for the active ingredients in the hand sanitizer to effectively kill germs and bacteria on the skin.

When applying hand rub, it's important to cover all surfaces of the hands, including between the fingers and under the nails, as these areas are often missed and can harbor pathogens. Rubbing the hands together for this length of time ensures that the alcohol has enough contact time with pathogens to deactivate them, thereby significantly reducing the risk of infection transmission.

Shorter durations may not provide adequate germicidal action, leading to potentially ineffective hand hygiene. This is particularly crucial in healthcare settings where preventing the spread of infections is vital.